The State of Iowa’s songbird funding has been decreasing and the funding is currently at its lowest point in 30 years. Southeast District Wildlife Supervisor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Bill Ohde says the Chickadee Checkoff provides taxpayers an opportunity to contribute to the state’s wildlife diversity program. He says this program supports all wildlife that is not hunted and trapped.

Ohde says people can contribute to this program by marking the box on the Iowa tax form. Ohde believes the funding is so low because of the economy, people are watching their money and they are not willing to contribute.

He says the funding helps different programs like habitat needs, Bald Eagle Days, research, and helps the wildlife continue to live in Iowa. Ohde says another funding source for this program is the Iowa Land and Water Legacy which would have to be funded by the legislature.